Chicken-Soup-for-the-Soul-Love-Stories.pdf

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She Had His Heart

JP Shaw 2008

“You look beautiful!”

She stared at her best friend’s reflection in the mirror. Both women tried hard not to cry, not wanting to

ruin their makeup. It had been a long journey. Rebecca knew the road her friend had traveled to get

here—marked with potholes, dips of heartache, all leading toward this destination.

“Are you ready?” Rebecca asked, smiling.

“Yes,” Anne whispered. “How does he look?” she asked, her voice quivering slightly with nervousness.

“Does he look all right? Does he look nervous? Do you think he’s okay?”

Rebecca tried to ease the worry she saw in her friend’s deep brown eyes. She reached for Anne

’s hand.

How does he look? What could she say to her friend?

He wore a tuxedo. Or at least the shell of his body wore it. He was eager. He was happy this day was

here. She knew that from speaking to him earlier. His voice held the excitement of a child on Christmas

morning preparing to unwrap that special gift. But he wasn’t all right. In the past six months, the

transformation of his body left us heartbroken.

His thick dark hair was gone—melted away by treatment. It wasn’t that, though. His entire appearance

was changed. His skin was pale, almost ghostly at times. No longer did his round face hold that glow of

healthiness it once possessed. His sunken features caused him to look weathered. He’d lost so much

weight. Every step his cancer-ridden body took registered with the pain that was a part of him. And as

each month passed, leading to today, he grew weaker. Desperately he tried to keep his brave face on,

not wanting to worry Anne. She was all he cared about, and this moment in time.

But time was not his friend.

“Beck?” Anne looked at her. Her friend’s worry continued. “Is—he okay?”

Rebecca nodded. “He’s in love! That’s all that matters,” she said. Her friend’s face lit up once again

with happiness.

“Oh! Did I show you what he sent to me this morning?” Anne crossed the room with excitement. She

took each step with the bounce of a giddy schoolgirl. “It came with a dozen roses.”

Rebecca saw the flowers on the table near the corner of the room; they were a brilliant shade of red,

clustered with simple elegance. Rebecca admired Anne’s strength. Anne stood poised in white lace and

satin flowing down to the bottom of her train. Confidence glowed upon her face. Anne had finally

found her hero.



But not all heroes are invincible. Hers was dying.

That didn’t seem to matter now, though. Anne and Stathis were prefect for each other. They

complemented each other like a pair of ripped jeans and old comfy sneakers—not perfect, but well

matched when worn together. Jointly, they created a kind of harmony.

He slept more hours out of the day than most normal people. He was so tired from all the medications

he was taking, simply to ease the pain his illness rendered upon him. When he was tired, Anne tucked

him in. When he was sick, Anne held his hand, telling him that everything would be all right. When he

was stressed, Anne would make him laugh, bringing warmth to his face. When his feet swelled up and

he couldn’t put on his shoes alone, Anne reached down, grabbing them to help him.

Every hospital visit and doctor’s appointment, every arrangement that needed scheduling, she was right

there, right by his side loving him. They didn’t go out much anymore. But neither were they waiting for

him to die. They considered each precious moment that remained a miracle.

Rebecca worried for Anne’s sanity when she and Stathis would be separated by death. What would

Anne do? Rebecca swallowed the lump in her throat just thinking about it.

Then Anne handed her a card.

Rebecca opened it. Inside hung a long golden chain, attached to it was half a golden heart.

The card read:

Inside this card you will find one piece of my heart.

I want you to know when you’ re not with me, I feel torn apart.

I have found comfort and peace in your arms, loving you this past year.

I am not saddened and my heart is content in knowing the end is growing near.

Half of my heart belongs to me. The other half belongs to you.

And when it ’ s time for me to say good-bye. Just remember these words are true.

Together the pieces fit as we did, with a love that could not be broken.

The friendship and trust you’ ve given to me are such a golden token.

For with you I had a reason to live when they told me I was going to die.

And now and forever I will always be with you, for I am ready to fly.

Please don’ t be sad or angry when it ’ s time for you without me to carry on.

Remember our love, hold on to our memories and know that you are strong.



I can’ t promise you today a life of forever. But together, with you I’ m not alone.

And after I’ m gone the piece of my heart I’ m wearing, will find its way home.

I will wait for you as long as it takes to greet you when it ’ s time.

And forever know you own a piece of my heart on this day you become mine.

Rebecca couldn’t stop the tears from flowing as she read the heartfelt words Stathis had written to

Anne. She closed the card, returning it to Anne’s shaking hands.

“Would you help me put it on?” Anne asked, her tears falling. Rebecca took the delicate necklace from

her. She attached the clasp and stepped back to look at her friend. Her dress was gorgeous. Her hair

was perfect. Right down to her shoes, Anne was an image of beauty. And with the golden necklace

hanging around her neck, half a heart attached to it, Anne was going to be all right.

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